Ouroboros

Ever since Loop de Loop reached level one hundred, something felt different.

It was hard to put into words, especially considering Loop didn't speak. He was stronger, sure, but he felt stronger after most level ups. He looked the same, ever since he evolved. But there was a nagging feeling in his mind, as if he was noticed, as if reaching such a high level meant something more than the achievement of having a number go up.

Like he had a purpose he didn't have before.

Sitting outside, guarding Kyrie's cabin, Loop de Loop considered what his purpose might be. Protecting the Digital Age, right? But he didn't want Digital to need protection forever. Was it defeating Team Cyber? It could be, but he couldn't do it alone.

"Loop de Loop?"

He snapped to attention at the voice, whipping his head back and forth. It had been a pokémon, but he couldn't identify the species, nor could he pinpoint where it came from. He saw no one else around.

All he saw was a gold ring hovering in the air.

Loop approached it warily and sniffed it. When nothing happened, he slowly raised his paw and tapped it.

The ring rapidly expanded. Loop de Loop jumped back in alarm. Inside the circle was a shimmering portal, and an impish pokémon popped its head out.

"You are Loop de Loop!" they said. "What a wonderful name!"

Loop fluffed his mane up and growled.

"Don't be afraid, Loop!" The pokémon floated out of the ring and it shrank down to nothing. "I have good news! Come with me."

Loop took a step back.

"Ah, you are still afraid." The pokémon hovered closer. "Have you not heard of me before? I am Hoopa, and I have chosen you for an important purpose."

Despite his misgivings, Loop couldn't stop his ears from perking up.

Hoopa grinned. "Sound interesting? Come with me!"

They waved their hand. Another gold ring appeared and expanded, the portal showing a rocky desert on the other side. Loop hesitated, but the call was so strong–he wanted to find his purpose, didn't he?"

Loop de Loop took a breath through his nose and and jumped through the portal.

The desert was pleasantly cool, and the sun was much lower in the sky than it was back at the cabin. Loop sniffed the air. Dozens of unfamiliar scents hit his nose, filling him with the urge to run across the sand and hunt down every creature he could find.

Hoopa came through the portal behind him and dismissed it. "I've been watching you and your trainer for a long time," they said. "You've done a good job protecting your friend–the Digital Age–from Team Cyber."

Loop puffed up his chest in pride.

"Which is why I chose you."

He blinked and tilted his head.

Hoopa floated closer. "You see," they said, "this is not my true form. My power was sealed away and stolen from me, and I cannot get it back on my own." They scowled. "I am still quite powerful, yes, but I should be more so. I need your help, Loop de Loop."

Loop de Loop's eyes widened. Hoopa shook their scowl off their face and grinned broadly. "You will not be without my help, either!" they said. "Here, I have a gift for you!"

Another portal appeared. Hoopa darted into the golden ring and came out the other side with something in their hands. Loop barked in excitement when he realized what it was.

"Ah!" Hoopa laughed. "You're ready for this, aren't you? This egg is of my kind–and yours as well, Loop de Loop. Take good care of them!"

They placed the egg in front of Loop de Loop, who ran circles around it. Abruptly, he halted and looked around. The desert didn't look like any place to raise a child. He looked at Hoopa and found that the pokémon had created another portal with the forest visible through it.

"I'll tell you more later," they said. "Return home, and good luck."

They grabbed the edge of the ring and threw it at him–and Loop was standing back outside Kyrie's cabin, a warm egg at his feet.